Key points

This indicator measures how many people can speak and understand the spoken Maori language, in the Maori population and usually resident population. The number of Maori language speakers reflects understanding of the importance of New Zealand’s cultural heritage.

• The proportion of Waikato Region residents who spoke te reo Maori at the time of the 2006 census was above the national average (6.2% compared to 4.2%).
• The proportion of Maori language speakers in Waitomo District in 2006 was the second highest of all territorial authorities in the region at 12.1% and was well above the national average. The proportion of Maori language speakers in Waitomo District has increased steadily from 1996 to 2006. 
• The Waikato Region has the fourth highest proportion of Maori residents who speak te reo Maori (25.4%) out of all regions in New Zealand.

Language spoken (Maori), usually resident population - New Zealand, Waikato region and territorial authorities

Source: Statistics New Zealand Census

What agencies are doing

Information currently being collated.

What you can do to help

Information currently being collated.

More information

More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.

What we want to achieve

The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by increasing the number of Maori language speakers is:

• We are proud of our region’s distinctive identity, its strong Maoritanga, and its rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage.